Further ABS information to measure coronavirus impacts

The ABS will release a second tranche of new statistical products in response to COVID 19.

These new products are in addition to those announced on 16 March 2020, which were preliminary retail turnover, information on business impacts, employment maps, overseas visitors and international student information, and new hours worked information.

These additional products will be released:

Additional information on employment and health implications for households: 

A new short survey, with data collected from 30 March 2020, will provide information on the actual and expected impacts of the coronavirus on households. Survey information will be obtained on a range of topics including responses to public health messages and whether people have had their hours of work reduced or been stood down. Results will be published in mid-April.

Additional information on business impacts: 

A second round of the Business Impacts of COVID-19 survey is in the field this week, with results expected in the week of 6 April. This survey will continue to produce information on the actual and expected impacts of the coronavirus on businesses, particularly labour market impacts. The results of the first round of this survey can be found in the Additional ABS products to measure impact of COVID-19 page.

Preliminary Monthly Merchandise Trade data: 

A preliminary estimate for Australia’s international trade in goods will be published three weeks after the end of each month. The first release, on 23 April, will provide the preliminary estimate for March on an original, current price (merchandise trade) basis only. These estimates will be subject to revision. The final monthly estimate will be published in International Trade in Goods and Services, Australia (cat. no. 5368.0) on 7 May 2020.

Release of Confidentialised Business microdata in TableBuilder:

Confidentialised microdata for Australian businesses will be made available for researchers to produce tables, graphs and maps. The data will relate to financial year 2018-19; and supports analysis of the Australian economy prior to coronavirus impacts. These data will be available free via the TableBuilder facility on the ABS website. Data are expected to be available by the end of April.

Release of population maps:

Interactive age and health conditions maps will be released in the week commencing 6 April. These maps provide the geographic distribution of Australia’s population by age and health conditions.

The ABS will continue to identify opportunities to make additional information on coronavirus impacts available to the community and government. Further announcements will be made as necessary.

Dr David Gruen
Australian Statistician
31 March 2020